What is a brokerage account?
An account that allows investors to buy and sell securities.
Fill in the blank:
A ______ account is managed by a broker who has written authorization to make trades without client consent.
discretionary
List two types of advisory accounts.
What is the primary difference between a cash account and a margin account?
Fill in the blank:
A ______ account that offers tax advantages such as tax-deferred growth or tax-deductible contributions for retirement savings.
retirement
What is a wrap account?
An account that charges a single fee for investment advice and transaction costs.
List three types of brokerage accounts.
What is the main purpose of a trust account?
To manage assets on behalf of beneficiaries.
Fill in the blanks:
Investors should receive a ______ ______ when opening a new brokerage account, detailing terms and conditions.
disclosure document
What does TIC stand for in account registration types?
Tenants in Common
How does a Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship (JTWROS) account differ from a TIC account?
In JTWROS, ownership passes to surviving owners upon death.
Fill in the blank:
In a ______ account, all owners have equal rights to the account’s assets and transactions.
JTWROS
(Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship)
List two key features of a Tenants in Common (TIC) account.
What happens to the account assets in a JTWROS account if one owner dies?
Assets transfer to the surviving owner(s).
Fill in the blank:
In a Tenants in Common account, each owner can choose to leave their share to ______.
their estate or heirs
What are the two main types of Individual Retirement Accounts?
(IRA)
Traditional IRAs are often chosen for their immediate tax benefits, while Roth IRAs are favored for tax-free withdrawals in retirement.
Fill in the blank:
Contributions to a ______ IRA are not tax-deductible, but qualified withdrawals are tax-free.
Roth
Roth IRAs are beneficial for individuals who anticipate being in a higher tax bracket during retirement, as withdrawals are tax-free.
What is the penalty for early withdrawal from a Traditional IRA before age 59½?
10% penalty
In addition to the 10% penalty, the withdrawn amount may also be subject to ordinary income tax. Exceptions to the penalty may apply in certain situations like first-time home purchases or education expenses.
List three types of employer-sponsored retirement plans.
These plans offer tax advantages to employees, such as tax-deferred growth and, in some cases, employer matching contributions.
Fill in the blank:
A 403(b) plan is typically available to employees of ______ organizations.
non-profit
403(b) plans are often used by public school employees and employees of tax-exempt organizations, offering similar benefits to 401(k) plans.
What is the maximum annual contribution limit for a Traditional IRA in 2023 for individuals under 50?
$6,500
Individuals aged 50 and over can make an additional catch-up contribution of $1,000, bringing their total limit to $7,500.
Describe the tax treatment of contributions to a 401(k) plan.
Contributions are made pre-tax, reducing taxable income
This tax treatment allows employees to defer taxes on contributions and earnings until withdrawal, typically in retirement.
Fill in the blank:
The required minimum distribution (RMD) age for IRAs and 401(k) plans is ______.
73
The age for required minimum distributions was increased from 72 to 73 starting in 2023, allowing retirees to delay withdrawals and potential tax liabilities.
What type of retirement plan is designed specifically for self-employed individuals and small business owners?
SEP IRA
A Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA allows employers to make tax-deductible contributions on behalf of eligible employees, including themselves.